Boating

Take a quiet paddle, head out with friends and family for a weekend on a party barge, or just cruise the river. Whatever method you choose, boating is a great way to explore the waters along the Great River Road. In the Quad Cities, kayak or canoe a section of the Rock River National Water Trail, experiencing metropolitan backdrops and rural landscapes. The scenic 2,400-acre shallow lake at Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area will have you thinking of the bayou as you glide through cypress-tupelo swamps. In northwestern Illinois, Savanna’s kayaks and fishing boats will get you rollin’ on the river, and Amber the Adventure Bus will transport you back to town. Experience the Mississippi from the deck of an authentic paddlewheel boat aboard the Celebration Belle. Set your own course with a pontoon or fishing boat rental from the marina at Kinkaid Lake. Whether it’s a speed boat on the busy waters of the Mississippi or kayaking a secluded cove on a quiet lake, boating is a great way to explore the waters of the byway.